‘Against Ecuador, Paraguay wants to respect its history; they have never won on our soil’, says Juan Samudio, former Barcelona SC striker

Paraguayan striker Juan Eduardo Samudio scored 20 goals during his time at Barcelona Sporting Club (6 in 2009 and 14 in 2010), but there was one for which he will always be remembered by Canarian fans: the one who scored against Liga de Portoviejo in a 2-0 win (The other goal was scored by José Luis Perlaza). The Victoria avoided relegation in 2009 from the yellow club to series B.

In a telephone conversation with El Universo, from Asunción, Samudio spoke about the Paraguay-Ecuador gamethis Thursday, for the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, whose result can give the Tricolor the direct ticket to Qatar. Author of 119 goals with Libertad, from Asunción, the Magical Samudio said that It would be a “sin” if Gustavo Alfaro’s team comes out confident because an eliminated rival will be measured. The 43-year-old former player also spoke about Barcelona SC.

Paraguay has 13 points in the tie and just two wins. Does that imply a bleak outlook for your country?

With Paraguay already eliminated and with the call made by coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto we see a selection with a lower average age. We can hold on to have new blood. I think we could start to make good matches thinking about the next qualifiers because, unfortunately, we were left out. And besides, we have to make a good stand and respect the history that we have with Ecuador, which has never been able to beat us on our soil.

The Tricolor is the favorite?

Yes, and this beyond the fact that history says that Ecuador has not added points here. Today’s table indicates that Ecuador, mostly because of its good home campaign, is the favorite (against Paraguay); we cannot deny that. But we do believe that our new players could do a good job, and on this side Paraguay has a lot to gain.

Is it an advantage for Ecuador to face the penultimate in the table?

should not be too trustingNor to think that Paraguay, being left without the possibility of qualifying, is going to be easy; it would be the worst sin that Ecuador can commit or any other selection that comes to look for points that allow you to dream. Ecuador has chances and has more motivation, but the Paraguayans are going to give their best effort. Hopefully it will be a good game.

What have been the strengths and weaknesses that you see in Tricolor?

I think that Ecuador’s strength has been acting as a local, take advantage of Quito’s height a little, which through its very good players has made them have a high percentage of points obtained at home. AND has improved as a visitor. This has allowed them to rely on their results to rank.

Do you think that Ecuadorian football has grown in recent years?

When I was there I always believed in him. physical potential of the ecuadorian soccer player. Now they have been able to take advantage of this quite a lot, and in a very good way. I think that most of the teams are giving real importance to the training divisions, which, after all, is where the players are to promote them to reach the first division. In what is Selection, the Federation realized that it is necessary to invest in the minors, in better fields, good professionals, and with a lot of training it gives them a high level of competence. I think we need that in Paraguay.

Moving on to another topic, did you continue Barcelona SC’s campaign in the 2021 Copa Libertadores?

I’m always looking at the campaigns that Barcelona SC fulfills. 2021 was close to crowning a great year; I think he lacked a little bit of luck because he had very clear chances of being able to go through (to the final). And obviously that touched me a bit, because I’m a fan, after Libertad, of Barcelona SC, and it is obvious that I want any tournament I play to go through stages. I wish the best of lucks. And let Ecuador qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

What do you think of the elimination in the third round of the qualifying phase against América Mineiro, from Brazil? The only final of the Cup will be at the Monumental Banco Pichincha stadium.

Was painfully and categorically feels more (the elimination) considering that the final will be in the Monumental, which is a stadium according to the demands of Conmebol. It hurts because they have a good squad and they were left out very early. But this is so; you have to look forward. I want to greet the people of Guayaquil, the people of Barcelona SC and those who love soccer in Ecuador. (D)